Do you know the real price tag of all the cool clothes you bought on that last blow out end-of season sale, in your favorite store? Whether we are trying to keep up with the ever-changing tide of what is fashionable, buying extra stuff because the bargain is too good to pass up, or because we love the GAP, Abercombie, Diesel, etc, so much that we cannot resist just one more t-shirt or a pair of jeans, we just don’t stop to think twice before swiping that credit card.
While we are constantly bombarded with edgy advertising prompting us to buy more clothes that may never see the light of day after hitting our closet shelves, we rarely are aware of the increasing toll on the environment that our rampant clothing consumption is causing. From processing, to manufacturing, to distribution, big clothing manufacturers are causing water pollution, increase he amount of toxic waste dumped into the earth and atmosphere and overall contribute to global warming.
This will continue to happen as long as we continue to buy. Our dollars translate into corporate profit, and as long as large clothing corporations make profit, they will not change course. This means that as consumers we have the real power to help our environment by curbing our consumption and taking a stand by choosing to buy eco friendly clothing instead of the big brands.
Why are we not aware of the environmental damage caused by the clothing industry?
The answer is simple: for the most part pollution is not happening in the United States. Even not as far back as forty years ago, the US had a booming clothing industry, however as consumption demands increased, the increases in processing and production started to cause alarming environmental concerns in the areas where these factories were located. Water and air were being polluted by harmful toxic wastes that were being dumped into them as part of the manufacturing process. The US has strict environmental laws that made it difficult for the clothing manufacturers to keep going at the same rate, so their solution was to move production off-shore to Asia and Latin America. Ever since the move happened, the clothing corporations have a had a field day with no enforceable environmental regulations, and a slew of other major benefits that the host countries provide. The result? They get the pollution, we get the pretty stuff, remaining blissfully unaware of what is really going on.
What is the harm to our Earth?
1. Processing of natural fibers such as cotton as well as synthetic fibers such as polyester in order to make them into fabric requires huge amounts of toxic chemicals, and excessive supplies of water. During this process the toxic wastes are dumped both into the land or into the water, making land unsuitable for agriculture and water for drinking.
2. Using up such huge supplies of water throughout all stages of clothing production contributes to water scarcity on our planet.
3. Dying clothes in all the bright colors that we love so much requires the most water and the most toxic, carcinogenic chemicals, all of which are also released into the land, water and air in the process.
4. Manufacturing process itself causes large emissions of CO2 into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
5. Oil is heavily utilized throughout, from processing to distribution, further polluting the environment and contributing to keeping the demand for oil high.
6. Every year, Americans dump more than 12 million tons of textiles. Less than 25% of this waste is recycled, which means the rest goes into our landfills.
Why eco-friendly clothing is the way to go?
Clothing production is a highly polluting process no matter how you slice it. However, Eco-friendly clothing companies make a conscious effort to use environmentally safer practices in their production process. Eco-friendly clothing can take on many different forms. Many of the companies and designers in this niche are local, which means that your purchases will help support the growth of American artisan industry.There are companies that intentionally keep their production small, work with small cotton and silk farmers that use more traditional and environmentally friendly practices of textile production than the big manufacturers do, and in general find ways to cut down on the use of water and toxic chemicals. There are clothing designers that produce handmade clothing, thereby avoiding most of the pollution causing practices outlined above. Other clothing designers make upcycled clothes, using recycled clothing and fabric. The truth is that as more people are becoming aware of the real environmental costs of buying big brands, they are slowly starting to make a switch to more Eco-friendly clothing. As a result, more options in Eco-friendly fashion are becoming available to consumers. Do your research online and read about companies’ production practices to find the ones that show a commitment to our environment. If you look, you will be sure to find many options that fit your style, budget, and make you feel good that now your money is helping preserve our planet.
About the author:
Yelena is our new writer / contributor, as well as the designer/owner of her own line of eco friendly hand made batik clothing for women – Sol Maleu in Boston, MA,. Yelena is a environmental and human rights advocate, who has seen first hand how large clothing labels produce their products in ways that harm our environment and encroach on human rights, in south-east Asia – particularly in Indonesia and India.
Yelena is committed to producing her batik designs in an Eco friendly manner. She uses environmentally safe dyes, natural wax resists, and saves energy by fixing her dyes using natural sun light. Yelena uses only the highest quality silk, and premium dyes, crafting durable clothing that is meant to be enjoyed for years. Finally, Yelena is committed to keeping her production line small, providing her clients with clothing that is truly special, rather than disposable.
I recently watched this movie – Fuel – on Hulu and it made me rethink all that I knew about renewable fuels such as Bio-diesel, Ethanol, Oil and the way transportation is powered. I had a wealth of knowledge on this topic, but after watching this movie, my motivation to be greener in the way we get around, went up by tenfold.
Before I jump into my thoughts, I will state a few facts and what I think about the Oil crisis (peak oil theory) and how we ABUSE our limited resources.
Energy use in US:
Americans use about 25% of world’s energy resources, while our population makes up only about 2 percent of world’s population. We also use about 25% of worlds oil. About 65 percent of oil consumed in US, goes to private commuters – myself included. Every time you drive somewhere you burn gasoline (or diesel fuel), contributing to this astonishing number. Trucking and aviation combined, make less than 30% of America’s oil consumption. So it is you and me who are burning all this oil!
1 – Carpooling and ride-sharing:
What really bothers me is when I go into Boston, from the south, there is a 5 mile traffic that barely moves. You see all these cars, trucks, buses and 18-wheelers standing there, moving at 5 miles/hour. And almost every one of these vehicles has only one person in it! And every day, they are willingly standing in this traffic, wasting their time, burning gas, and polluting the atmosphere.
Boston Express way has an HOV lane (express lane for 2 or more people in the car) but almost no one uses it, because the “can’t” carpool. Why? Not only is it’s cheaper – it is also faster! But no – we will stand in traffic, and burn money and time.
I will not even argue the point of global warming, as too many people still deny it. But as a matter of convenience and practicality – why don’t we ride together or use public transportation?
2 – why the hell do you need a V8 full size pickup truck to go shopping?
I don’t know about you, but I see this all the time. A medical office receptionist or a soccer mom driving a huge SUV or a pickup truck. I just want to throw them out of their vehicle. You don’t need this monster to get around, and buy groceries. Get a freaking Corolla! … and don’t forget – this is Boston – not Alabama!
And why do they sit in the car while it’s idling? Just a week ago I went to the Wallaston Beach in Quincy, MA and there is this guy sitting in his car, reading a news paper. It was 90 out and of course he had his windows up and AC blasting. Go for a walk or a swim – isn’t that why people go to the beach?
What can be done to stop wasting fuel, and switch to more economical cars, as well as alternative fuels such as bio-diesel?
Do you still remember when gas was $4 / gallon? I do. It was only two years ago, and that’s when I got my Honda Civic hybrid – actually I got it just 3 months after the oil market and global economy crashed. During the record oil prices, reaching $140 / barrel, it was nearly impossible to buy a hybrid, and they were sold at a $2000 premium over sticker price. And at the same time American car industry crashed, as they mostly produced the stupid SUVs and trucks that no one was buying.
So the solution in my mind is simple. We need $4 or even $6 / gallon gas in this country (as is the case everywhere else in the world) – only then will Americans wake up and switch to economical cars.
You want to drive your Hammer – sure, it will cost you 50 cents per mile! I have no real problems with trucks and SUVs – in fact I own a Toyota Tundra myself. Its a V6 though, and I rarely drive it – only when I really need it. In fact, for the last six months (with VERY rare exceptions) I’ve been driving my Toyota Prius to most of my roofing appointments, and I get around the the situation with ladders just fine. I have an 11 foot telescopic ladder, and all my tools and rubber roof repair materials fit in the car just fine, and there is even room for my folding bike. Most home owners have a ladder in their backyard, so I don’t need to bring one, and therefore I don’t need my truck!
Yes I do drive a lot due to the nature of my work and there is not much I can do about it – I need to get to work, and usually there is no public transportation there and I can’t carry 5 bags of tools and roofing materials with me on a bus. But I drive in the greenest way possible.
So I’ve identified the solution to switch Americans to more economical means of transportation – since we only react when something becomes too expensive, we need higher gas prices. But how do we go back to $4 gas?
Fuel – the movie – switching the world to green fuels:
First, I want you to watch this awesome movie, so you and I are on the same page. Bellow is the embedded player, so you can watch it without leaving this site.
So what can be done to switch from gas and diesel fuel to ethanol and bio-diesel?
First – you should know that most of the car fuel used in Brazil is home-grown ethanol. And diesel engines were actually designed to run on vegetable oil – back then there was no diesel fuel! And Ford model T was 100% compatible with ethanol, which Henry Ford produced and sold, until Standard Oil pushed for a ban on all alcohol production in the US.
As I said before, the only thing that will move the masses, is economical reasons. We can scream “global warming” all day long, and nothing will happen. People don’t care – I know because I’ve been trying to convince my friends not to waste energy and other resources for years, and they look at me like I’m an idiot 
First, the reason gas is so cheap in the US, is because of the subsidies to the oil companies, for which we pay anyway, through our taxes. The only way it will change is if the government removes these subsidies, and so far the “oh-so-green” Barack Obama has done NOTHING. And neither have the republicans. In my opinion, we need to vote most senators and congressmen out of the office. New people will not have such strong ties to the Oil Industry as the current gang of politicians (both democrats and republicans). And it is doable – Scott Brown became a senator in predominantly democratic Massachusetts.
Second – the new blood must be more educated. I will personally buy a few copies of “Fuel” and distribute them in public schools in my town, so it is shown to all kids there. Hopefully my plan will work, and school management agrees to show it – after all Mass is all democratic and green
I am also starting my research on small algae plants to produce bio-diesel and will work with local green-collar businessmen to possibly set it up here for mass production.
Why am I doing all this – why do I want green fuels?
Besides my personal outrage with the current situation with energy and resources, I will be a daddy in just two short months, and I do not want my daughter to grow up with polluted air, dirty lakes and oceans, and other perks of global warming. Its time to start doing more than just driving a hybrid and turning down the thermostat. It’s time to get the general public involved!
PS – join the unofficial “Boston Prius club” and share your story.
